Women’s FA Cup final: Lucia Garcia scores two as Manchester United thrash Tottenham to land first major trophy

Lucia Garcia scored a second-half brace as Manchester United thrashed Tottenham 4-0 at Wembley to win the Women’s FA Cup and land the first major trophy in the club’s history.

Ella Toone opened the scoring in stunning fashion and Rachel Williams doubled the advantage shortly after the break, before Garcia wrapped up a deserved victory.

Both sides were looking to claim a maiden FA Cup title, but it was Marc Skinner’s United that dominated at the end of a rollercoaster season, and after losing out to Chelsea in last year’s final.

Skinner paid tribute to Toone and the entire team in the aftermath, telling BBC Sport: "I felt the first half frustration because we didn’t score. I felt we were the better team, I felt all game we controlled most of their threats.

"I’m exhausted now but it’s a magical feeling. Tooney scored one like that against Leicester and to do it at Wembley, such a special moment, and I just reminded her just feel it [and] remember it because it comes and goes too quick.

"For her, congratulations; for the whole team, congratulations. A magnificent performance and we’re FA Cup winners."

The game was poised at 0-0 as the seconds ticked down to half-time before the deadlock was broken in devastating fashion.

United countered from deep in their own half as Toone tore up the yards before cutting inside and unleashing into the top corner to give Rebecca Spencer no chance in the Spurs goal.

That opened the floodgates as United went through the gears in the second half.

Williams rose highest in the 54th minute to make it 2-0 with a pinpoint header that snuck in at the far post before Garcia pounced on a poor clearance from Spencer to nudge into an empty net just three minutes later.

Bethany England had a chance to reduce Tottenham’s arrears in the 65th minute but her header crashed off the crossbar, rather summing up the day for the north London club.

Spencer then saved well to deny Melvine Malard but United got their fourth when Garcia once again took advantage of some sloppy Spurs defending.

With the victory all but assured, Toone and Garcia were taken off to a huge ovation as their team-mates saw out the final moments on a momentous occasion in front of 70,000 fans.

It means United have salvaged what had been an otherwise forgettable campaign. After finishing second in the Women's Super League last season, they have failed to build on that progress and currently occupy fifth in the table.

Skinner admitted reinforcements are needed and is confident the team will be invested in having been impressed by the impact Sir Jim Ratcliffe has had since he acquired a minority stake and took over football operations.

“Obviously we’re not where we want to be in the league but we are history makers for Manchester United," Skinner added.

"We need depth and quality. We need experienced players but we also need young, hungry players. This is my third season this year, you’ve got to go through reinvention and look at what you do.

"We finished second last year but won nothing and didn’t qualify for the Champions League and it took a toll. There was a lot that happened out of my control but we took it back today.

"I know what we can do, we can challenge, but we have to continue to invest. I’m sure we will.

"Ineos have been a breath of fresh air since they came in. It’s been a really invigorating moment and I’m hoping that can help push us forward."

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